News

Weatherford handily wins GOP primary for House seat
Aug 24, 2010 - Tampa Bay Online

Will Weatherford, 30, on Tuesday took a critical step toward becoming the youngest speaker of the Florida House since 1957.

With most votes counted in House District 61, incumbent Weatherford held an insurmountable lead over Kevin Wright in the Republican primary for the seat.

"I’m very humbled, frankly, by the great amount of support we received," Weatherford said. "It’s a larger margin than we expected."

He said he felt his emphasis on job creation and performance in the House resonated with voters.

"When I ran for office at a very young age, I didn’t want to be somebody; I wanted to do something," Weatherford said. "People know I’m up there fighting for them."

Weatherford, who is in line to become speaker of the House, raised nearly $600,000 to Wright’s $1,300. Wright, 55, owns a small sportswear company.

Weatherford now will go up against Democrat Elena McCullough in November’s general election to represent the heavily Republican district that covers central and east Pasco, and parts of New Tampa in Hillsborough County.